Location & Mobility by the Numbers

Thanks to Matt Siltala for pointing me to the OrangeSoda blog, where they created a useful “infographic” with a bunch of local and mobile data on it. Here are some of the numbers presented, based on third-party data:

Local search is growing at 50% per year. Based on that formula, they project 3.45 billion local searches per month by 2012

Half of mobile Internet access is via mobile device

The top access method for local information is now mobile devices (20.7 million users per month)

I agree with OrangeSoda that the local and local-mobile markets are big and compelling. And I’m as big a proponent of the idea that local is misunderstood and much larger than people recognize. However I have some slight disagreements with the specific figures presented.

Here’s my response to these numbers based on data I have or have developed:

A relatively conservative estimate of the number of local searches on Google today is 2.9 billion per month. (This is based on search volumes reported by comScore and Google’s own estimates of local queries). So the OrangeSoda numbers are low

There are 75 million mobile Internet users today vs. 214 million US PC Internet users (per comScore). That would mean, effectively, that the mobile Internet audience in the US is 35% of the size of total PC based Internet population

There are many more local-mobile users than 20.7 million if you consider how many people have accessed maps or LBS info on their devices. It’s at least 50 million.

Though local content on mobile devices figures more prominently than on the PC, there’s no chance that there’s more local action on mobile devices (by volume) than on the PC. Eventually it may be true however.

Agree that relevancy will be heavily affected by geography/location in certain algo categories and ad categories. But as smartphones become just one more way to access the internet location is an important category but not the dominant one.

However, that said, local is dominant in terms of commercial activity. People buy in stores and the Internet on mobile devices can help lead them to the POS with information and incentives.

I was surprised by some of the numbers too. You can check all our sources though. That number of mobile phones being the leading local access method is a direct quote from comscore http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Press_Releases/2009/6/comScore_Reports_Mobile_Audience_for_Local_Content_Grows_51_Percent_vs._Year_Ago

If that wasn’t true a year ago (when they released the stat) I have a hard time believing that it isn’t true now.

I think when we compare mobile search with PC we are missing the “context” of searching @home and @location. Person sitting at home would prefer using PC than mobile device.

What I mean is the “context” of “WHEN” does the user search in what condition and why. Based on that the algo’s can help to filter.

Considering the Local search converting it to sale on POS thats true. When I went shopping sometimes if I am not confident about the price I search on deals website to check if I am getting the right price. If yes and i was saving on shipping charges so I bought it.

Mobile devices will be more perceived by consumers who want info impromptu and are ready to take the decision quickly.

“The mobile browser is the leading access method for seeking local information, with 20.7 million users in March 2009, up 34 percent versus year ago.”

There are many more people seeking local information online. Google has quoted (based on their own data) that “82% of people are doing local searches on Google.” Maybe we’re talking apples and oranges a bit here but those numbers in absolute terms are way way larger than 21 million.

ComScore’s “local” methodology online (PC) has always been extremely conservative. They under-count local on the PC.

Sure you got all the numbers from where you say you got them. I’m just presenting some competing data. Market is large and getting larger to be sure.

60% of mobile Internet access/usage is happening in the home and, in general, mobile Internet use happens throughout the day.

So you can’t always make assumptions about when people are using which devices.

Re considered vs. impromptu searches. Yes you’re right but the need “on the go” is more immediate often. I won’t plan a remodel on my phone but I may use my smartphone in the overall process when I’m away from my PC.

Microsoft also revealed some compelling data . . . 70% of mobile searchers start and complete their activity (on Bing) in roughly one hour. On the PC that process spans a week or more for most users.